Tottenham make £60m+ Cody Gakpo bid as Liverpool talks advance

Tottenham Hotspur have submitted an opening offer worth more than £60 million (€69m) for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, with reports in the Netherlands claiming there is growing confidence that a transfer can be completed.

The 27-year-old is open to joining Spurs and has an agreement in principle over a move to north London, leaving Liverpool's response as the major hurdle.

Roberto De Zerbi has maintained his interest in Gakpo throughout the summer and Tottenham have now turned that interest into a concrete bid.

According to Dutch outlet SoccerNews, Tottenham's first official proposal is worth more than £60m (€69m).

Liverpool have the offer under consideration rather than immediately rejecting it, although the expectation is that the Reds will seek a higher fee before agreeing to sell.

That means Tottenham may still need to improve their proposal, but reports from the Netherlands suggest negotiations are moving in a positive direction.

Voetbal International journalist Joost Blaauwhof reports that all parties increasingly view the transfer as a realistic possibility, with confidence growing that an eventual agreement can be reached.

Voetbal International has also backed up those claims, reporting that the parties involved are expecting a positive outcome.

Crucially, Gakpo and Tottenham already have an agreement in principle.

Gakpo's willingness to make the move gives Tottenham a significant foundation from which to negotiate.

The Netherlands international is reportedly prepared to leave Liverpool, while De Zerbi has remained determined to bring him to Spurs.

Blaauwhof described the Tottenham manager's position simply: "It's Gakpo all the way."

Spurs had also worked extensively on a potential move for Bournemouth forward Éli Junior Kroupi earlier in the summer. Once that avenue disappeared, Gakpo returned to the forefront of Tottenham's attacking plans.

The Dutch forward's versatility would give De Zerbi several options across his frontline, with Gakpo capable of operating from the left or centrally.

Tottenham's interest is particularly notable because they are simultaneously working on a major deal for Manchester City winger Savinho.

The Brazilian has been another leading attacking target for De Zerbi, but Voetbal International reports that Spurs still want Gakpo even if Savinho also arrives.

That points towards a significant reshaping of Tottenham's attack rather than the club simply choosing between the two players.

Liverpool's own transfer activity could also become important. The Reds have been working on a move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, and progress in that pursuit could potentially make Gakpo's departure easier to sanction.

There is currently no confirmation, though, that Liverpool will make one deal dependent on the other.

Liverpool's response to Tottenham's opening proposal is now the key development.

The Reds are expected to push for more than the £60m-plus currently on the table, meaning another round of negotiations may be required. Tottenham have nevertheless cleared an important obstacle by reaching an agreement in principle with Gakpo.

Liverpool's pursuit of Bradley Barcola could also influence their position later in the window. For now, Spurs have made their first formal move and there is growing confidence from the Netherlands that Gakpo could become De Zerbi's next major signing.